Collapsible draw-bar.



A. A. NELSON. COLLAPSIBLE DRAW BAR. APPLICATION men MT. 1. 1914.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

COLUMBIA PL PH CO..WASHINGTON, D. c.

1 l s A 4 ALFRED A. NELSON, OF ATLANTIC, IOWA.

LA S L D Wr AB! Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 7, 1914;. Serial No. 865,588.

5 Iowa, have invented a new and useful Colthe sections of a multiple section harrow. 60

lapsi'ble Draw-Bar, of which the following My improved draw bar when used for is a specification. such harrows comprises a central member The object of my invention is to provide 11 and end members 12 and 16. a collapsible draw bar of simple, durable, The draw bar members are preferably se 65 1a and inexpensive construction. cured to the frame members 13 of the har- More particularly it is my object to prorow sections by means of eye bolts 14 sevide a multiple part draw bar of the kind cured to the frame members 13 and the rementioned in which the parts are especially spective draw bar sections, and connected adapted to be folded over on each other so by means of the broken link 15. 70 15 that the harrow can pass through gates or The only difference between the forms of doors which are of considerably less width the draw bars shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is in than that of the harrow when in itsextendthe length of the middle member, which in ed form. the Fig. 2 is indicated by the numeral 11 It is a further object of my invention to and in Fig. 1 by the numeral 11, the bar 75 provide such a draw bar having means for member 11 being the shorter.

connecting the sections thereof so construct- The links whereby the draw bar is secured ed and arranged that the draw bar may be to the double treesare also somewhat difrigidly connected when in its extended form, ferently arranged, as will be hereinafter deand rigidly supported against tilting or pivscribed, depending upon the length of the otal movement of the sections with relation middle draw bar member. The adjacent to each other in anydirection. ends of the, draw bar members are secured, At the same time it is an object of my intogether by the following means: A chanvention to provide such a securing or fasnel having a horizontal bottom 17, and tening means for the successive sections, as spaced vertical side members 18 receives one 5 can be quickly and easily released for foldend of the middle draw bar member. The

ing the sections over when it is desired to side walls 18 of the channels extend concollapse the harrow and the draw bar. siderably above the draw bar members as My invention consits in certain details, in shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The channel memthe construction, combination and arrangebers 18 are provided with openings to re- 90 ment of the various parts of the device, ceive bolts 20, by which said channel memwhereby the objects contemplated are at bers are rigidly secured to the middle draw. tained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, bar member. The side walls 18 of the chanpointed out in my claims and illustrated in nel are preferably inclined from their ends the accompanying drawings, in which upwardly toward their middle portions, as 5 Figure 1 shows a top or plan view of a shown in Figs. 3 and 6, for a reason which collapsible draw bar embodying my invenwill hereinafter be set forth. The inner tion, the draw bar shown being adapted for ends of the outer draw bar members are prouse with four harrow sections. Fig. 2 shows vided on opposite sides with plates 19 hava similar view of the draw bar adapted for ing at their ends farthest within the chan- 100 use with a three section harrow. Fig. 3 nels the ears 19 extending upwardly and shows a detail sectional view of the mechaway from the bars 16 or 12 as the case may anism for connecting two sections of the be. The ends of the draw bar members 12 draw bar together. Fig. 4 shows a perspecand 16 having the plates 19 are received tive view of an end of one of the fastening Within the channels as shown in Fig. 3 and 105 devices, whereby the draw bar sections are the ears 19 are pivoted between the walls connected. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view 18 by means of bolts 21. of the key for locking one section against The upper portions of the walls 18, which vertical tilting movement. Fig. 6 shows a extend above the bar members 16 or 12, when front elevation of the draw bar shown in the latter are in their lowered positions, as 110 Fig. 1 in its collapsed form, and Fig. 7 shown in Figs. 3 and 6, are provided with To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED A. NELSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlantic, in the county of Cass and State of shows an end View of one of the fastening devices, with one section of the draw bar mounted therein.

In the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate key hole slots 23, the circular portions of which register with each other, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4.

The channels are of proper width to snugly receive the draw bar members between the walls 18, and to prevent any tilting or pivotal movement of said draw bar members in horizontal planes.

The length of the Walls 18 is suflicient to form a strong, broad support or bearing for the draw bar members to prevent such pivotal movement.

A key is provided to be received in the slots 23 for locking the members 12 and 16 in their lowered positions. The key comprises a horizontal rod member 24 having at one end a right angled extension 25, and at the other end a lug 26 extending at right angles to the key member 24 and also in a direction at right angles to the direction of the extension of the member 25.

It will thus be seen that if the key is presented to the key hole slot 23 in one member 18 as shown in Fig. 4, with the member 25 extending vertically downwardly from the member 24, the lug 26 will extend toward the left, and will readily pass through the slot 23. The key is then rotated until the member 25 extends upwardly, when the lug 26 will readily pass through the key hole .slot 23 in the opposite side wall'18. When the key is then released the member 25 will drop downwardly as shown in Fig. 6,'and the lug 26 will turn to the right so that it cannot slip out through the slot 23 until the ,member 25 is again turned to its upwardly extending position.

The bolt 21 and the key member 24, together with the bottom member 17 of the channel form broad supports for the draw bar members whereby said draw bar members are firmly held against the pivotal movement with relation to each other in a vertical plane. Thus the harrow may be drawn across the field, and the draw bar, although composed of sections, will be so rigidly connected that it is substantially as strong and as satisfactory as a single solid draw bar. At the same time if it is desired to pass through a gate with the harrow, the keys may be quickly and easily withdrawn from the slots 23, whereupon the members 12 and 16 can be readily folded upwardly over the member 11 or 11 as the case may be, to the position shown in Fig. 6.

It will be seen that the reason for making one end of the walls 18 extend above the level of the members 12 or 16 as the case may be, is to furnish bearings for the keys.

The draw bars may be secured to doubletrees in any suitable way, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Where the draw bar is of proper size for use with four section harrows, links 27 are pivoted to the eye bolts 28, spaced from each other on each side of the middle of the member 11, and are inclined forwardly and away from each other. Links 29 are pivoted to the eye bolts 28 in the members 12 and 16 near their outer ends, and are extended inwardly and forwardly. The forward ends of the left hand links 29 and 27 and the right hand links 29 and 27 respectively, are connected together by suitable devices such as rings 31. Links 30 are connected with the respective rings 31 and to the eye bolts 28 at the outer ends of the members 11 or 11*. The last mentioned eye bolts 28 are preferably extended through the walls 18 in place of part of the bolts 20.' The rings 31 may be secured to the double-trees or draw bars connecting double-trees as may be desired.

WVhere the shorter middle draw bar member is used as the member 11 in Fig. 2, links 32 are pivoted to the eye bolts 28 fastened in the outer ends of the members 11 and inclined forwardly and toward each other. The links 33 are pivoted to the eye bolts 28, secured near the middle of the members 12 and 16, and are inclined forwardly and toward each other and toward the forward .ends of the links 32.

The forward ends of the left hand links 32 and 33, and the forward ends of the right hand links 32 and 33 are secured together by suitable devices such asrings 34. Pivoted to the rings 34 and extending forwardly and toward each other are links 35, which are connected at their forward ends by a ring 36.

In an implement such as a multiple section harrow on rough plowed ground, it is necessary that the sections be connected by a strong, rigid draw bar. It is also desirable that the harrow sections be capable of being folded over on each other, in order that the implement may be easily drawn through a gate or the door of a machine shed or the like. In order that the harrow sections may be folded over, it is necessary that the draw bar may be made foldable or collapsible.

It is highly important in any collapsible draw bar that means should be provided'for connecting the members in such a way that they may be absolutely rigid when in their i extended position. It is believed that such a means has been provided in the channels heretofore described, which are of such peculiar construction so as to form strong,

broad, rigid bearings to prevent the tilting I of the draw bar sections in any direction with relation to each other. At the same time the use of the keys hereinbefore described makes it possible to quickly and easily release the draw bar members from their rigid position for foldingthem over when the harrow is collapsed. The extending of the eye bolt 28 through the channel walls 18 and through the fixed member 11 or 11 as the case may be, imposes the draft directly on the channel and makes it possible to secure the full benefit of the channel as a rigid connecting means for the bar members.

By using middle members of difi'erent lengths, my improved draw bar may be used with any desired number of barrow sections, whereas with the collapsible draw bars now in use, only three harrow sections can be employed.

It will be understood that some changes may be made in the details of the construction of my collapsible draw bar, without departing from its essential features, and it is my intent to cover by this application any such changes which may be included within the scope of my claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a plurality of draw bar members, arranged in line with each other, with abutting adj acent ends, a channel receiving the ends of the adjacent draw bar members, means for rigidly securing the end of one draw bar member within the said channel, means for pivotally mounting the end of the other draw bar member in said channel to permit said pivoted draw bar member to swing in a vertical plane, said channel having a portion spaced from said pivoting means and extending above the pivoted draw bar member, and means for connecting said upwardly extending portions of the channel and for locking said draw bar member in its lowered position, said means comprising a sliding pin mounted in said channel walls, having parts so constructed as to be held by gravity wherein its longitudinal movement is impossible, said pin being capable of removal when tilted from its normal position.

2. In a device of the class described, draw bar members arranged in line with each other with abutting ends, means for securing the ends of the adjacent members together, said means comprising a channel to receive the abutting ends of the adjacent draw bar members, one end of one bar being fixed in said channel, the central portions of the walls of said channel being extended upwardly above the draw bar members when the latter are in horizontal position, plates on the sides of the adjacent end of the other draw bar member within the channel, ears on said plates extending upwardly, means for pivoting the upper ends of said ears to the sides of said channel above the part of the channel which receives the draw bar members, a removable means for locking the body having said plates, against pivotal movement with relation to said channel.

Des Moines, Iowa, September 19, 1914.

ALFRED A. NELSON. Witnesses:

ADELE SHERMAN, J. MAHER.

Copies of this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

